# Two family members on same Associate Hospital Managers Panel **URL:** \ **Category:** Mental Health Act\ **Tags:** hmh\ **Created:** [7 March 2023 23:07 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510 "2023-03-07T23:07:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Samjo87](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@Samjo87](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Samjo87)\ **Post date:** [7 March 2023 23:07 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/1 "2023-03-07T23:07:44Z")
Hi, a query on whether or not members of the same family are allowed to sit on the same panel when reviewing the renewal of a patient, or is that a conflict of interest? ---
**Author:** ![Sellicott](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/user_avatar/forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/sellicott/32/58_2.png) [@Sellicott](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Sellicott)\ **Post date:** [8 March 2023 00:46 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/2 "2023-03-08T00:46:07Z")
I would say absolutely not as it would open up the temptation to discuss the case when in a family setting. From my experience magistrate family members would never sit in the same court. ---
**Author:** ![Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Mari)\ **Post date:** [8 March 2023 07:19 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/3 "2023-03-08T07:19:20Z")
In terms of the decision making , if two out of the three Panel Members are close family members there is the perception of bias . ---
**Author:** ![Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Mari)\ **Post date:** [8 March 2023 11:07 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/4 "2023-03-08T11:07:15Z")
The potential to discuss the case in a family setting has in my view increased with TEAMS and the provision of reports electronically in advance , and possibly to a shared computer ---
**Author:** ![Sellicott](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/user_avatar/forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/sellicott/32/58_2.png) [@Sellicott](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Sellicott)\ **Post date:** [8 March 2023 11:27 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/5 "2023-03-08T11:27:03Z")
I agree Mary. With the use of Teams for hearings I have to lock myself away in the office so that there is no possibility of anyone in the household either viewing or hearing the proceedings. ---
**Author:** ![Steviek](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Steviek](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Steviek)\ **Post date:** [15 March 2023 11:33 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/6 "2023-03-15T11:33:50Z")
I agree wholeheartedly with Sam. The potential conflict is overwhelming Steve ---
**Author:** ![Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mari](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Mari)\ **Post date:** [15 March 2023 14:10 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/two-family-members-on-same-associate-hospital-managers-panel/1510/7 "2023-03-15T14:10:51Z")
Although family members may argue they are professional enough to have their own views which are independent of each other when sitting on the same Panel , I am particularly concerned about perception.